Kelly Townsend

Kelly Townsend is the editor at Playback, with previous experience in B2B and entertainment journalism. Before joining the Playback team in 2018, she worked in the editorial, marketing and communication departments at B2B publisher Dovetail Communications. She has a bachelor's degree in English from York University and is a graduate of Humber College’s journalism program. Her byline has appeared in IndieWire and she spent several years covering Canadian TV as associate editor of The TV Junkies.

Posts by Kelly Townsend

Wynonna Earp season four to resume production this summer

The first half of the new season will air on CTV Sci-Fi in July, while production prepares to restart on the second half after filming was halted by the pandemic in March.

WGC reverses course on story coordinator debate

The guild says it will approach the CMPA about changing the definition of story coordinator in its existing IPA weeks after a petition from BIPOC TV & Film was launched.

Ontario’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols published

The 45-page guideline, developed by the Section 21 committee, arrives as Toronto enters Stage 2 of the province’s reopening plans and begins issuing film permits once again.

NB lawyer, veteran journalist named CRTC commissioners

Newly appointed commissioners Ellen C. Desmond and Nirmala Naidoo will take over from outgoing members Christopher MacDonald and Linda Vennard.

CBC says it will make hiring, retention policies more inclusive

The pubcaster says that by 2021/22 half of all hires for exec and senior management positions will be Indigenous people, visible minorities or people with disabilities.

TIFF pulls back the curtain on its 2020 plans

The festival will go forward with a reduced lineup of films in a hybrid model of virtual and physical screenings as TIFF reduces its staff by 17% due to projected revenue losses.

Upfronts ’20: Corus sets 43 new, returning originals across lineup

The broadcaster is leaning on its roster of originals, returning acquisitions and a newly inked deal for Peacock original series to boost its 2020/21 fall schedule.

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WGC, BIPOC TV & Film disagree over story coordinator role

Both organizations released statements on the issue, which was first sparked by a petition launched by BIPOC TV & Film for story coordinators to receive guild status.

Behind the ‘humbling’ experience of making Trickster

The team behind Trickster took part in a BANFF panel to discuss how the industry should rethink colonial values in production when it comes to Indigenous narrative sovereignty.

CRTC denies Blue Ant Media’s request to reduce PNI requirement

The Commission determined the broadcaster did not give “sufficient justification” to reduce the required PNI spend from 13.5% to 5% for its eight channels.

Lark Productions acquires TV rights to sci-fi comic series

The Vancouver-based prodco will develop and produce a TV series based on the Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen comics Descender and Ascender.

Updated Broadcasting Act to be tabled in fall, says Heritage minister

Steven Guilbeault said the government is “trying to find a solution” to the COVID-19 insurance problem, and provided details on phase-two emergency funds, in his opening BANFF remarks.